Biology

Out-of-place embryos: The rise of undetected ectopic pregnancies

Biology, Health / /

Pregnancy is an uncertain time for many expectant parents. It’s a daunting experience known for its vast expanse of new territory and potentially risky outcomes. A constant in most pregnancies is the location of the embryo: in the protective, developmentally beneficial environment of the uterus. However, this isn’t always the case. The prevalence of extrauterine […]

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Vanishing Twin Syndrome and Brain Damage: The Effects on the Surviving Twin

Biology / /

Vanishing Twin Syndrome (VTS) is exactly as the name suggests: one of the two children in a set of twins vanishes. It usually occurs during the first trimester of the pregnancy, and can sometimes be mistaken for a miscarriage. The cause of the syndrome is unknown, but some possibilities have yet to be eliminated such

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Are our brains self-sabotaging? The role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases

Biology, Health / /

Despite the modernity of medicine and the advancements mankind has made in understanding human physiology, there is perhaps no greater mystery than the driving force behind our every action, thought, and feeling: the human brain. The physical structure of the brain is clear, but the origin of many of the existing neuronal pathologies is still

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For the first time, again: Investigating the neuroscience behind déjà vu

Biology, Psychology / /

The rain is pouring outside. It’s only 1 p.m. on a Monday, yet you feel the day has already dragged on for ages. You’ve only made it through two lectures, an hour of unproductive studying, and about half a protein bar. Naturally, you end up at a local — new — coffee shop for a

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Curing old age: How genetic regeneration could turn back the clock

Biology, Health / /

While wrinkle creams and wheatgrass shots may be all the anti-aging rage, the real secret lies within all of us. Put simply, aging is the slow progression of DNA damage. As cells replicate, approximately 100 base pairs of DNA are lost in what is known as the end-replication problem. Organisms have long developed a counter

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A waking nightmare: Sleep deprivation and circadian rhythms in the midst of addiction

Biology, Health / /

It is commonly said that a sleep-deprived person has the mental performance of a person impaired by alcohol. However, the relationship between sleep and substances, such as drugs and alcohol, may be deeper than a simple comparison. Sleep itself is a significant factor in physical health and mental performance, yet many aspects of sleep remain

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The quantum probability of genetic mutations

Biology, World / /

DNA is the genetic information in each of our cells that encodes specific genes and characteristics. Although this source of genetic information seems like something that should be stable and unchanging, it can be influenced by the randomness of physics phenomena, and these resulting genetic changes can drive evolution. Spontaneous genetic mutations, potentially explained by

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